By Luis Sandoval
After a dominating performance and beating one of the top guys of the division in Toshiaki Nishioka, Nonito Donaire is again presented with a familiar question: Who should he fight next?
Donaire was on the most recent edition of BoxingScene’s official radio show The Boxing Lab and was asked if he was interested in fighting the winner of the Abner Mares-Anselmo Moreno fight or also Guillermo Rigondeaux who has been clamoring for a fight with him.
“If the fight is there, the fight is there and I’ll fight. I’m still kind of small [for] 126 so I’m probably going to be here at 122 but those are the main three guys I want to fight; Moreno, Rigondeaux, and Mares. At this time, I’m kind of like I have to do whatever I have to do but if I need to finish it with the title holders, I want to go for those titles. And that would be Rigondeaux and Mares or Moreno. Whoever wins in their fight” said Donaire.
A fight between Donaire and the winner of Mares-Moreno will be tough to make. Not because the fighters don’t want the fight but because their promotional companies are carrying on a dispute and refusing to work with each other. Donaire himself made it known if the fights don’t happen, it won’t be because he didn’t want them.
“To me, I would like to make that happen before I move up to 126 but if that doesn’t happen, it won’t be because I didn’t want to make it happen. Because a lot of negations process [happens] and I’m staying here for a reason and I’m not going to wait for anybody to make it happen. I already requested for fights with these guys in the past and that’s why there’s always been talks of “Oh, is Nonito is fighting Rigondeaux’ or “Oh is Nonito fighting Mares’ and it’s because we requested that” revealed Donaire.
“But sometimes people have to make their egg hatch and when there’s money in that, they’re going to make it happen. Why do you think they’re looking at Arce right now? Because that’s the [biggest] money fight and to a lot of these promoters in the business, [that’s what the] aspect of boxing is”.
While fans are coveting for Donaire to fight any of the three aforementioned fighters, Top Rank has already hinted that Donaire’s next fight will most likely be against Jorge Arce. It makes sense from a financial standpoint as Arce brings with him a large Mexican following and any fight that pits a Filipino and Mexican fighter is a recipe for success.
Donaire would definitely welcome an Arce fight but reiterates he would fight anyone.
“Arce is a tough guy as well and I’m willing to fight him as well but it’s really up to how things are. For me if their name is right there and they’re inside of that ring, I don’t refuse anyone. I’ll fight until I get to everybody. All of the above is my answer [to who I would fight]”.
You can listen to Nonito Donaire’s interview in its entirety by listening to The Boxing Lab podcast: http://tobtr.com/s/3770629
You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @Truewest007. You can also tune in to The Boxing Lab, Boxingscene’s official audio show every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.
